UFO sighted over Santa Monica in 1956

Summary

In August 1956, a witness in Santa Monica, California, observed a round object with a luminous trail moving south. The object displayed colors such as red, blue, yellow, and white light, and was seen for three to five minutes. Although initially noticed for its brightness, investigators concluded it could be a jet aircraft with a contrail. The description of the sighting matched that of a known aircraft, suggesting it was not an unexplained phenomenon.

The report, classified under Project 10073, did not include photographs or radar data and was reported by a civilian. Despite the lack of additional data, available analyses pointed to a conventional explanation. This case reflects how many sightings from that era were attributed to known aerial objects, even when descriptions seemed unusual.